its a very good subject the story brings up. fantasy vs realization. its 2 worlds lyra is in between being pulled from both ends. she cannot function at all sometimes because she’s forced into a role that is suffocating her. she is uncomfortable with the fact the new world she lives in has disturbing concepts that she’s never seen before.
 
you can see it in her eyes. the slow realization and fear that ponies are mere toys in this world and that maybe she is one.
 
the question is whats a Pony going to BE in this world? a pet, a slave, a plaything or a living being? either way its a product so therefore it doesn’t get to answer that question unless the person who owns that pony says otherwise. that’s what is so sad about the world Lyra lives in. shes constantly met with the fear she might not be free as that is what she originally was her entire life.
 
such a surreal yet disturbing concept.

@987Whitetails
 
it’s basically creating someone in a way that you know will cause needless suffering, but you do it anyway, because you don’t care about suffering. you have bills to pay.
 
this is my favorite illustration for that setting, really sums up for me what these creations are facing, coming into existence:
 

i have to admit. this image is kinda self explanatory. This version of Lyra has the Show’s personality. to see her “friend”/ aquantence be in a position like that or be controlled or oppressed Immedietely overwhelms lyra who lacks a majority of a human/adult’s culture. Lyra is technically an adult but her culture is purely ….“child” like.
 
it also hints at how imcompatible she and her fellow ponies really are in this world. because some humans utilise… “adult-based creativity” and ponies are mostly fragile in their nature it becomes horrific to see Mind-constructs like lyra’s get bastardised only for the temporary satisfication of their owner/master/etc.
 
it really is a distopian world when constructs have a mind of their own and wake up to a world either composed of freedom, inbetween or pure hell.

The pillow / seat cover under Fluttershy almost looks like something else - not saying what but should be obvious on closer inspection - No idea if that was the intention of the artist.

um… should this be tagged lyra heartstrings? because it’s a lyra heartstrings…